Help provide a Thanksgiving meal to those in need

The Maggie Valley Lodging Association is making plans for the 16th annual Turkey Drive to benefit Haywood County’s disadvantaged residents.

When the Turkey Drive first started in 1997, the association delivered turkey dinners to 45 families.

In 1998, 75 families were helped. From 1999 through 2007, the association assisted 150 families per year.

In 2008, 2009 and 2010 that number was increased to meals for 200 families. In the past two years, 250 families were aided. The goal is to help that many families again, which will potentially provide in excess of 850 meals.

The association works with Waynesville Ingle’s Manager Jeff Henderson and his staff to purchase and package the food and with the Department of Social Services for its delivery. DSS determines who will receive the Thanksgiving meals based on economic criteria.

The association delivers the packaged boxes to DSS headquarters where counselors help hand them out.

A $25 donation will deliver a full meal plus to a family who may otherwise go without Thanksgiving dinner. The meal includes a whole, uncooked turkey, dressing, vegetables, bread, dessert and even a disposable foil-baking pan for preparing the bird.

When I moved to Maggie Valley in 2007 and opened my business Andy Taylor, the president of the Lodging Association at the time, was the only leader of any organization to stop by and welcome me to the valley. No one from either Chamber of Commerce or the Hotel Motel Association stopped in. I was impressed.

I joined the Lodging Association at their next meeting. At that meeting I learned of their annual turkey drive and was further impressed. Even though our small group works to promote our valley it gives me great pride that we continue this tradition and touch so many families in our county.

Thank you to everyone who contributes to make this our landmark activity each year.